Australian Conservatives announce candidate

The Australian Conservatives have today announced that their candidate for MacKillop will be Richard Bateman, and they call on voters to closely examine what all candidates have to offer.

Mr Bateman is an agriculturalist, farmer and businessman based in the South East of South Australia, who wants to ensure country people and country businesses have the strongest voice possible in parliament.

“I will be advocating strongly for the people of MacKillop, and want to fight alongside our Australian Conservatives members in the Upper House to enshrine into law no fracking in the South East, and to see Right to Farm Legislation become a reality,” Mr Bateman said.

“We need to make sure that the interests of farmers are not trampled on by a government only interested in the mining dollar.”

Australian Conservatives MLC Robert Brokenshire said the party had chosen Mr Bateman to run for MacKillop because he had served his community well, and understood the unique benefits, as well as the challenges, of living in MacKillop.

“Richard is a third generation farmer at Furner and has a business interest in the rock lobster industry at Robe,” said Mr Brokenshire.

“He and his wife Jacqui have worked hard to build a business while raising two sons, Lachie and Hugh.

“Richard will strongly support the Australian Conservatives party as we focus on representing the whole of South Australia, rather than the type of city-centric focus that we have experienced under the Labor government.

“Richard has been strongly involved in his local community – he has held positions within local and district committees, sporting clubs, the Furner CFS Brigade, and he was on a school council governing body.

“Australian Conservatives are the true country party, and we are running quality country candidates who live and breathe regional Australia.

“Our candidates don’t just appear before an election, or suddenly develop a social media presence that makes them look active.

“We have a record for fighting for country South Australia, which is why I spend most of my times in the regions working with communities.”

Mr Brokenshire said he urges MacKillop voters to closely examine all candidates ahead of the 2018 election.

“Don’t just look at what people are saying now, but look at their history,” he said.

“Former Senator Xenophon and the Greens’ populous call for the ban on live cattle exports had a significant detrimental effect on cattle producers across Australia.

“Xenophon has pushed, with the Greens and Labor, for a fast tracking of renewable energy.

“And that has hurt every South Australian with households and businesses who are now paying the highest electricity prices in the country.

“Xenophon has back-flipped on council rate capping and no longer supports this, meaning country people will continue to pay significant council rates.”

Biography for Richard Bateman:

Richard is a 3rd generation primary producer, farming at Furner, and a partner in a rock lobster fishing business based in Robe.

Locally educated at Kangaroo Inn Area School until year 10, then completed year 11 and 12 at St Peters College, Adelaide.

Married for 32 years to Jacqui, they have two adult sons, Lachie and Hugh.

Worked in a family farming partnership with his parents and brother from 1980- 2000, then continued in a new partnership with wife, Jacqui from 2000 until present.

They diversified their business in 2009, buying a Southern Zone Rock Lobster fishing license, the business operating from the port of Robe.

Further experience gained through various agricultural business management courses.

Has been an active member of the community, holding positions within local and district committees, sporting clubs, Furner CFS Brigade and school council governing body.

Currently, South East Professional Fisherman’s Assn (SEPFA) Port Representative for the Port of Robe, holding positions on various SEPFA sub-committees.

Richard Bateman will be advocating strongly in the electorate of MacKillop for:

Returning rural revenue for building and maintaining key infrastructure (roads, bridges and jetties)

Royalties for Regions

Funding for mobile phone blackspots

Legislate to enshrine in law no fracking in the South East and Right to Farm Legislation

Restoring 110 kph speed limit on rural roads

Improve curriculum performances and outcome in education for our students